Some of the vitriolic reaction to Pastor Shaun Thornton leaving Bible Center Church here in Charleston has really surprised me.
I hadn’t planned on commenting, but then I read “Janice” in the Charleston Daily Mail tonight. After my head nearly exploded, I calmed down enough to write this post.
Here was her comment.
Well, wait, some background for those outside Kanawha County.
Bible Center Church is the fasting growing church in West Virginia. It’s congregation in the last few years (under God’s guidance and Pastor Thornton’s direction) has risen from 700 members to over 2200 members. They recently built a new worship center on Corridor G with plans to expand even more. They have their own school and their own church for teens on Wednesday.
Thornton has been a dynamic leader in the Kanawha Valley over and above simply pastoring of Bible Center. He is well respected among both conservative and liberal clergy and his approach has always been one of welcoming and love versus hate and anger. He appeals to those staunch conservatives of western Kanawha County and the more socially moderate South Hills crowd, he is one of the few pastors who can reach across realms and bring people together and his success is evident in Bible Center’s growth.
A few weeks ago, he decided it was time to move on and will begin being the Pastor of a California church in September. Well, wait, it’s not that simple. He felt that his calling from God was taking he and his family there.
So, now we come to Sunday, Pastor Thornton tells the congregation he is leaving and automatically he gets attacked for leaving.
Here was “Janice’s” comment in the Charleston Daily Mail…
Janice
Thornton told the congregation he is leaving because God told him to “step out of his comfort zone.” He’s going from Charleston to a huge church just outside of Malibu. It’s one of the wealthiest areas of the country. It’s surrounded by golf courses (Thornton LOVES to golf), celebrities, just blocks from the beach and he is getting a HUGE pay raise.But remember; he’s just stepping out of his comfort zone. All while the Bible Cente Church is in the middle of a paying off a $15,000,000.00 loan. Run Forest, RUN!
Goodness gracious.
Why are we like this?
And, I’m sorry, but there is something about her comment that really gets at the heart of why West Virginia lags behind the nation. Bear with me here.
Now, of course, the members of Bible Center Church are going to be upset and disappointed that their pastor is leaving. Who wouldn’t be, especially after 10 years or more that Thornton has been there.
But, why do we in West Virginia attack those that are successful? Instead of saying, wow, ONE OF US is SO GOOD that a large church in California wanted him, he is condemed by some as a villian.
There is something inherent in some West Virginians’ mentality that automatically feels this sense of abandonment when someone good decides they want to go elsewhere.
I’m sorry, but Janice’s comment incensed me.
Yes, Janice, Pastor Thornton is leaving for California, uprooting his entire family, including three kids… because he wants to play golf on California courses.
Riiight, I’m sure that is what it is.
I’m sure it has nothing to do with his calling.
And, anyone who knows Pastor Thornton knows just how crazy he is about the OPPORTUNITY to be around… celebrities. And, you know, I can see him now down at Muscle Beach every day, doing some surfing, banging the weights (he will be able to tell those guys about the Kanawha City Nautilus, where he got his start).
Holy smokes.
If Janice is a congregant of Bible Center, she should be ashamed for such a ridiculous comment. If she isn’t, then she should be ashamed that she would spew such hatred on someone simply because they felt they were being called to move out of state. Goodness forbid ANYONE should decide to leave West Virginia, that’s the greatest of all mortal sins in Janice’s small mind.
Actually, Thornton’s comments about getting out of the comfort zone is very good for all of West Virginia. We don’t want to change. We don’t want to see growth. We’d rather have someone who would stay with us for 30 years, stagnant, as long as we knew they might not leave.
It’s sad, really.
The hate and anger being thrown Pastor Thornton’s way simply because he decided God had called him elsewhere is wrong. And vengeful. And sadly, the way many people act.
We should pat Thornton on the back and say, good for you! Congratulations! Good luck! Do us proud!
As for the “bad timing” of his move, come on. When is it ever good timing in anyone’s mind?
My guess is the other NINE pastors at Bible Center will pick up the slack until a new, dynamic leader is chosen.
Someone said that the Bible Center Church is like WVU football before this season - what pastor WOULDN’T want to go there? Bible Center I’m sure will find another dynamic leader to continue its growth.
As for the “loan,” another wise man once said, “When you owe a bank $1,000, they are your enemy. When you owe them $1,000,000, they are your partner.”
And, for anyone who has heard Thornton speak, let’s be honest here.
This man, through his belief in God, could easily be a Franklin Graham. I saw bits of the interview with Obama and McCain and Pastor Rick Warren from California. Thornton could have done that interview. Only better. God has given him THAT level of talent.
We as West Virginians need to let go sometimes. Having strong ambassadors for our state throughout the country only benefits us.
As for Janice, she should be bronzed and placed in the Capitol because she unfortunately represents the worst of our anger and jealousy and fear of losing what we have. And Thornton should be beside her as what he represents, the good in all of us, the ability to do more and the courage to take that leap when others are against you.
That’s something all West Virginians should aspire to. And, after all, is there ANY other state in the nation MORE in need of someone like Pastor Thornton?
Good luck, Pastor Thornton. Do us proud.
Loading...
14 Responses to “Cut Thornton some slack”
Not to mention that West Virginia is a state with a pretty strong moral identity. Southern California presents an outstanding preacher tremendous challenges because people have so many material things with which to try and fill their lives. It’s a tougher post than Kanawha County and one where he will probably face more prejudice, disrespect, and outright hatred.
The example of the WVU football team is right on. Pastor Thornton put the Bible Center Church in a great position for many, many years to come. It will be a great opportunity for a new religious leader to step into a situation that will almost certainly succeed and who may even be able to take the church to even higher levels of being able to spread the word of God here in the Kanawha Valley.
There’s no doubt that ANY church in WV that experiences growth THAT rapidly has to have one whale of a good pastor and a very effective leader! I pray that the staff remaining at Bible Center Church will, through God’s strength and blessing, continue to grow the church.
Still, the downside to a church that has a very charismatic pastor is that he, often innocently, becomes like a rock star in that people attend his church not so much to hear God’s Word, but to be associated with a celebrity. I hope that this is NOT the case at this church, or Janice may have some bonafide concerns.
Vic, good column. Stephen Smoot and Concerned Citizen are spot-on with their observations. May God bless Pastor Thornton, Bible Center, and Janice.
It is easy in a bigger church for people to sit back and enjoy the fruits of a good pastor while not laboring.
If God told the Pastor to leave, God knows best! Maybe he wants to see som pew sitters to help carry the church now, especially if the new pastor doesnt’ carry the same uniting status the church has known.
That’s the problem in America too. Too many pew sitters, just accepting what the Repbulican and Democrats do. We need more Americans to get up off the pews, think for themsleves and be involved much more than just showing up to vote. Its time to correct Americas polititcal system form destroying what little we have left of the constitution.
There are more than just the two parties. This year, Obama or McCAin are both loser choices. To argue agaisnt that is pure ignorance. Since both are losers then we must make a stand and refuse to vote for either. Send a mesage and vote for Chuch Baldwin.
baldwin08.com
http:www.baldwin08.com
No more pew sitters.
Well put, Vic. Very well put.
This is an imprecise example, but the lesson remains true: I’m reminded of David’s defense of Saul as, “The Lord’s anointed.” Though he was an enemy of Saul, David yet revered the Lord’s call on Saul’s life and viciously defended it, even among David’s most loyal men.
Likewise, though we are saddened and, indeed, in some cases angered by Shawn’s departure, to wage against the clear calling of God on the Thornton family’s life is neither right, nor safe.
Godspeed, Shawn Thornton!
As to the WVU example, all I will say is that if CA doesn’t do right by Shawn Thornton, we’re sending Tom Flaherty out to collect a buy out provision.
Maybe T.D. Jakes should’nt have left West Virginia either…lol. I wish the best for Pastor Thornton. Lets hope he will do as wonderful as the bishop has.
Can you blame a talented person from Moving from a hick, redneck bottom of the barrel, socialist welfare State where he had to scratch for donation money for his church (competing with lottery tickets, one arm bandits, snuff, cigarette and beer purchases)
He has saved the poor heathens from the wilderness State and now moves into the wealthy, morally corrupt Sodom-Gomorrah State to save the rich heathens.
You said a mouthful in this piece. Insightful.
I was googling Pastor Thornton because I am a member of the church he is going to in California and I wanted to find out more about him. First, I want to clarify that yes, this is a wealthy area, but we are not all wealthy, myself very much included. What comes with the wealth, the glamour, etc of the area is a lot of lost, misguided, deluded, hurting people. Our church had what we thought was a wonderful “ideal” pastor who preached one thing and lived another. Over a year ago he was “caught” in sexual sin that was not a one time “mistake” but apparently was a lifestyle that had been going on for a very long time. His wife and the congregation felt betrayed to the core. The congregation has been struggling to recuperate for over a year. We have not had a Senior Pastor for all that time. From what I’ve read about Pastor Thornton, he is a man of integrity and a man who can help us heal. WE NEED HIM. I don’t think anyone would come out here for the money or golf or beach! He will have a huge challenge on his hands. Unless led by God, no one would gladly take on this situation. I hope the congregation at Bible Center Church will understand we need him. Faith in Christ has received a black eye in this area. We need a Godly leader to help us reach the lost in Southern California.
The Thorntons aren’t necessarily going to a better situation. W.Va. was their “comfort zone.” He was beloved and well-taken care of here. He admits he is anxious about the move. Reportedly, the relatively small house they are buying costs nearly a million dollars. Folks, that’s a ten thousand dollar monthly payment, not to mention taxes and insurance. Their children’s tuition is as expensive as a high-priced college. Lots of financial pressures he didn’t have in W.Va. They will need to learn Spanish and a very different culture to survive in Mexifornia. There’s no assurance he’ll succeed at a church that’s been torn appart by the former pastor’s misbehavior. Moreover, for reasons too numerous to mention here, it may very well be God’s will that Shawn remove himself from Bible Center. The church will find someone good or better to replace him as senior pastor. Confidence and optimism is high among leadership. And those who were simply following Shawn may want to go elsewhere, because we’re supposed to be following Jesus Christ our Lord.
How come a prominent minister is never called to pastor a small church instead of God always calling him/her to a bigger better church. Whoever wrote the lead article is very nieve about clergy. It is said that man is driven by money, sex and power. This is the nature of mankind. In his charge the minister deals basically with sinful man and is tempted sometimes beyond belief. There is a high rate of infidelity among pastors. They live lonely lives because they do not have people to talk with. People like to talk so they cannot take their parishiners in confidence. They can’t talk to other ministers because they may want his job. He/she is basically in a catch 22 situation. There are several books on the subject. Thornton already has a few strikes against him. Usually Californians do not like people from the NE and after a church has been without a pastor for a few years it shows that all is not well with that church. He is tall and impressive and that is in his favor.
just a couple quick factual corrections to dear Janice’s comments:
1) from where Thornton will be living, it’s a LONG ways from Malibu (and not just in distance but in culture, community, local values, etc) … it’s sort of like saying that Huntington is just outside of Charleston
2) the beach is 20+ miles drive from his house, not blocks
and how does Janice know his pay package? and has Janice priced what her house/ apt would cost in the region?
I don’t know if it’s hurt or old woundings that have motivated Janice’s comments, but I pray that the Lord would be her center and Saviour
This is coming rather late, given that the original post was made about two months ago. Nevertheless, I feel it important to add my two cents.
I’m one of the folks now blessed to have Pastor Thorton as our minister here in Southern California. Contrary to unpopular opinion, the vast majority of families to whom he now ministers are like mine, solidly middle class, struggling like most of our country to cope with the difficult economic times we all face. My family consists of myself and my husband, married 25 years, and our four mostly-grown children. I’m a stay at home mom to our youngest child, necessitating a great deal of coupon cutting and heavy budgeting. We’re not celebrities, far from it. What we are is representative of the congregation Pastor Thornton now leads.
What we also are is a congregation badly in need of Pastor Thorton’s special gifts. We’re a congregation in need of healing leadership, in need of someone who will boldly preach the gospel yet lovingly lead us to understand what God wants of each of us. Pastor Thornton has truly been a gift to us, come after a long year in the wilderness, I personally am grateful beyond measure for him. I have seen the same thankfulness and gratitude being expressed by the rest of our congregation.
I realize that it must have been very hard for his former church to let him go, and triply hard for Pastor Thornton and his family to take the steps in faith to come to Southern California. I’m frankly amazed that they did this; I know it hasn’t been easy adjusting to the different culture here, not to mention the different wardrobe…as he noted in a recent sermon, we don’t do church in dresses, suits and ties! Acclimating to a whole new environment in a distant state while shepherding a church that has undergone a traumatic pastoral loss and subsequent sharp decline in membership is no celebrity hobnobbing picnic.
While I’m very saddened to read that anyone is bitter toward Pastor Thornton for his departure from West Virginia, he speaks so fondly of his former church and various people within it who have impacted him over the years that I’m baffled by the bitterness toward him. I can only think that such people poorly understand the man. Additionally, they have no understanding nor compassion for those of us who now enjoy his teaching. We might be Southern Californians, but we’re first and foremost your brothers and sisters in Christ. We do not believe Pastor Thornton was brought to us out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but rather that he’s living out Philippians 2:1-11 (which oddly enough he’s been preaching upon for the past three weeks).
In that spirit, I wish peace upon those who have posted in anger, and pray that you come to see Pastor Thorton’s departure from West Virginia in a different, more Christlike perspective.